Device or apparatus for use in controlling the flow of fluids through systems



1929- w. R. BRIDGENS 1,726,211

E 0R APPARATU USE IN DEVIC 5 FOR CONTROLLING THE FLOW OF FLUIDS THROUGH SYSTEMS Fil 6, 1928 9d D90 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.1. 21 23 26 6 A Q 6 20% I ATTORNEY g- 27, 1929- R. BRIDGENS 1,726,211

DEVICE OR AP A'IUS FOR USE IN TROLLING THE FLOW 0F FLUIDS THROUGH TEMS Filed Dec. 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 bg-ununuvnln ELEA W4 6 XIV/7:115

K y, K0 11 galnlud Patented Aug. 27,1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WALTER iROY BBIDGENS, F RIVINGTON, ENGLAND.

DEVICE OR APPARATUS FOR USE IN CONTROLLING THE FLOW OF FLUIDS THROUGH SYSTEMS.

Application filed December 6, 1928, Serial No. 324,264, and in Great Britain September 27, 1927.

This invention has for its object to provide an improved device or apparatus for use in controlling the flow of fluids through a system which shall be simple in construction and easy and eflicient to operate, the device being particularly applica le for use in connection with pressure systems in which a liquid is used in an enclosed system in which it is desired to direct pressure to op-- erative points and afterwards to allow the liquid to return from the operative points to a source of supply.

A device or apparatus according to this invention comprises a chamber connected to a source of supply under pressure and operative points, the chamber having within ita series of valves, the valves being opened by means of cams on a cam shaft or spindle operating on valve lifting rods crossing the axis of the cam shaft, the cams being arranged so that by turning the shaft or spindle through different angular movements, operative points may be put into communication with the source of supply.

forth with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein- Fig. l is a side elevation showing a form of the apparatus as used in connection with a liquid pressure jacking system for use on motor vehicles.

Fig. 2 is a plan of the underside thereof.

Fig. 3 is a section through 6 6 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a part sectional plan, and

Fig. 5 is a front elevation.

Referring to the drawings, the device comprises a chamber 7 having a plurality of ports or openings 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 to which ports pipe connections are made as shown in 0 the drawings. A pipe connection 13 is also made to the chamber 7. The pipe connection 13 allows liquid to pass from its source of supply, such as a pressure pump to the chamber 7 and suitable valve arrangements -15 are made within the chamber by which the outlet of this liquid from the chamber 7 through the ports 8 to 12 is allowed.

Each port 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 is controlled and normally closed by a valve 15 having a 0 loading spring 16 at the top, which urges the valve down into its seating and it will be seen that the pressure of liquid within the chamber 7 assists in keeping these valves The invention is more particularly set.

tightly shut. On the opposite side of the chamber wall to each valve is a slight open mg 17 adapted to receive a pivot piece 18 in which one end of a swinging arm 19 is.

mounted, the other end of the swinging arm 19 being received in a socket in the valve 11). As will be seen by reference to the drawings, three ports or openings 8, 11 and 12 are ,placed on one side of the centre line of the chamber, and two ports 9 and 10 are placed on the other side. There will thus be five swinging arms 19 lying parallel to each other across the centre of the chamber 17. Rotatably mounted on the axis of the chamber and below the swinging arms 19 is a cam shaft or spindle 20. This cam shaft or spindle passes through a front plate 21 Where 1t is engaged b a handle 22 or other means whereby the'spindle may be turned, the front plate 21 having attached thereto a dial 23 with indications upon it showing how the handle must be turned in order to ensure certain desired operations taking place.

The cam shaft or spindle 20 has upon it a plurality of cams 21 each of which lies underneath one of the swinging arms 19 and these cams 2 1' are set with' swells in certain positions. Each cam has one swell at a particular point, which does not correspond with the swell on any other cam, but it may also have a swell coinciding with that on certain of the other cams. The inner end of the cam shaft or spindle 20 is engaged by a spring 25 which ensures that each cam 24 will be under its swinging arm 19 and also helps to make a fluid tight joint at the front end of the cam shaft.

If it be assumed that the ports 8, 9, 10 and 11 are connected to jacks fixed onthe axles of the vehicle and near each wheel, and that liquid such as oil under pressure is entering the chamber 7 by the pipe 13, the turning of the handle 22 will rotate the cam shaft and if for instance it be desired to raise the right front wheel, the handle 22 is turned till-its pointer end reaches the position R. F. on the dial shown in Fig. 5. When the handle is in this position the cam shaft will be turned so that one particular cam 24 will raise the swinging arm 19 controlling the valve 15 leading to the jack it is desired to operate and consequently when the valve is raised, as shown in Fig. 3, the particular jack it is desired to oper. re is put into direct communication with the source of pressure acting through the pipe 13.

If it be desired to raise any wheel of the vehicle, the handle is turned to the indicating position on the dial, and if it be desired to raise all the wheels at the same time, the handle is turned to a fifth position such as right over and swells on the cams operating the valves 8, 9, 10 and 11 all act together at the same time. After operating any one of the valves 8, 9, 10 and 11, and it'is to be understood that the handle or the dial-may conveniently have a spring catch to hold the handle in any position to which it may be placed, the handle 22 is placed in its normal position shown in Fig. 5 where it points to release, and when in this position the cam 24, operating the valve 15 in the port 12, is raised and thus allows the liquid under pressure to pass back by the port 12 and its corresponding pipe to the source of pressure.

In order to provide access to the interior of the chamber so that any valve 15 or its swinging rod 19 may be exposed, the chamber Walls have holes bored through them into which the ends of the swinging rods 19 are received in their sockets 18 and these holes are closed by screw plugs 26. Thus by taking out any plug 26, or in the case of the release port 12 by removing the connection to the pressure pipe 13, the respective valves and swinging rods 19 and adjacent parts can easily be inspected or given at tention if they require it.

While in this embodiment the invention has been described with reference to spring loaded valves which are operated in one direction only, that is, the open direction by the cams, the device may also be arranged so that the valves are operated in both directions positively by the cams.

Similarly it may be desirable to arrange the device so that the valves are operated to the open position by springs and are moved to the closing position by cams.

While it is convenient to arrange the valves on opposite sides of the chamber thus reducing the length of the chamber it is not essential or necessary that this construction should be followed for, if desired, the valves may be arranged all on one line or they may be arranged around a central point or axis on which the cam shaft or spindle rotates.

The invention has been described and shown with reference to its use in connection with raising th wheels of a four wheeled motor vehicle. It is to be understood, however, that it may be applied to six or eight wheeled vehicles, merely by providing the necessary ports, valves and their attendant parts and by shaping the cams 24 as required for this particular purpose.

What 1 claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A fluid pressure distributing device in cluding a valve casing having an inlet port and a plurality of outlet ports, valves each normally closing a respective outlet port in axial alinemcnt therewith and movable axially toward and from said port to close and open the same, valve rods in said casing each extending laterally from a respective valve and connected at one end to said valve, means in said casing for pivotally support ing the remaining ends of said valve rods, a

cam shaft extending through said casing transversely of said valve rods and adjacent thereto, and cams on said shaft each engaging a respective valve rod intermediate its ends.

2. A fluid pressure distributing device including a valve casing having an inlet port and a plurality of outlet ports, valves each normally closing a respective outlet port in axial alinemcnt therewith and movable axially toward and from said port to close and open the same, valve rods in said casing each extending laterally from a respective valve, each of said valves having a laterally respective rod extends to connect the valve and rod, means in said casing for pivotally supporting the remaining ends of said valve rods, a cam shaft extending through said casing transversely of said valve rods and adjacent thereto, and cams on said shaft each engaging a respective valverod intermediate its ends.

3. A fluid pressure distributing device including a valve casing having an inlet port and a plurality of outlet port s, valves each normally closing a respective outlet port in axial alinemcnt therewith and movable axially toward and from said port to, close and open the same, valve rods in said casing each extending laterally from a respective valve, each of said valves having a laterally opening recess into which one end of the respective rod extends to connect the Valve and rod, pivot sockets mounted in said casing and each supporting the remaining end of a respective valve rod, a cam shaft extending through said casing transversely ofsaid valve rods and adjacent thereto, and cams on said shaft each engaging a respective valve rod intermediate its ends.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

WALTER ROY BRIDGENS.

opening recess into which one end of the 

